In late November 2013 Australian Rules coach Wayne Dover died when he was attacked outside a Maroochydore nightclub. Three men were initially charged with his murder, but at a committal hearing a magistrate determined there was insufficient evidence to proceed with a murder trial, instead subtituting manslaughter charges.

In February 2014 Bruce Steensen was walking along The Esplanade in Mooloolaba in the early hours of a Saturday morning when he was allegedly punched in the head. He was rushed to Nambour General Hospital but died later that day. A 21-year-old man was charged with the murder of the Brisbane man.

55-year-old Brisbane man Leon Yeaman died after an argument over loud music with his neighbour in April 2015. Phillip Pama, 28, allegedly confronted Mr Yeaman over the volume of his music and punched him in the face. Mr Yeaman never regained consciousness. Mr Pama has been charged with manslaughter.

Lindsay Ede, a 55-year-old father of four, died weeks after he was allegedly bashed in a residential street in Goodna in June 2015. 19-year-old Ariik Mayot was initially charged with causing grievous bodily harm, but police said the charge would be upgraded ti unlawful striking causing death.

Trevor Duroux, a 40-year-old father and grandfather, died less than a month ago after a 10-day battle for life in the Gold Coast University Hospital. He was allegedly punched in the head outside the Coolangatta Hotel on December 4 and fell to the ground, hitting his head. Eighteen-year-old Tristan Heather's grievous bodily harm charge was upgraded to unlawful striking causing death following Mr Duroux's passing.